Locals carry raw inkstone on their backs down a mountain in Gannan Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Northwest China’s Gansu Province. For generations, residents of Taoyan Township have collected Tao Inkstone, one of the four famous inkstones in China. They use basic tools including a hammer and ropes to mine the material on the mountain, then carry it along dangerous cliff roads. One can carry unprocessed inkstone up to 40 kilograms and it sells for about 30 yuan ($4.4) per kilogram. Mining inkstone and collecting herbs for medicine are two major income sources for locals. (Photo/VCG)
